NEW DELHI: - The impending G20 Summit set to unfold in Delhi from September 8th to 10th has ignited a fervent quest for quick getaways and easily accessible destinations among the city's residents. As preparations for the global event prompt traffic restrictions and temporary closures of schools, shops, and businesses, the population of the national capital is turning towards nearby retreats for respite.

According to an insightful report, the anticipation of the G20 Summit has prompted a noteworthy upswing in inquiries for domestic flights, accommodations, and short-haul international getaways. Notably, the demand for drivable destinations has also witnessed a marked rise during this period.

Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head of Global Business Travel at Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, observed, "The suspension of regular activities during the G20 Summit in Delhi has catalyzed a surge in the pursuit of brief respites."

Delving into the preferences of the Delhi populace, travel platform Booking.com has noted a surge in travelers seeking lodging in proximate locales such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi, Agra, and Amritsar. The platform forecasts a sustained escalation in demand for these destinations as the extended weekend draws closer.

Analyzing the data further, Thomas Cook's insights reveal a substantial 30-40 percent rise in demand for destinations reachable by car.

MakeMyTrip's co-founder and group CEO, Rajesh Magow, shared his perspective on the trend, stating, "The government's official declaration of holidays in conjunction with the G20 Summit has ignited a wave of interest in cities within drivable distance from the capital." He disclosed that accommodations searches have surged in locales like Sawai Madhopur, Manesar, Amritsar, Vrindavan, Agra, Udaipur, and Jaipur.

Additionally, Thomas Cook has detected a minor uptick of 5-10 percent in September airfares for leisure destinations. Notably, airfares between Delhi and major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, and various tier 2-3 cities have escalated by 20-50 percent during this period due to supply-side constraints.

Highlighting specific flight prices, non-stop flights from Delhi to Mumbai from September 7th to 10th are priced between Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000, while flights to Bengaluru range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 16,000. Similarly, non-stop flights between Delhi and Chennai are available starting from Rs. 11,000 up to Rs. 16,000. For Delhi-Amritsar routes, fares begin at Rs. 5,000 and go up to Rs. 10,000, while flights to Delhi-Ahmedabad fall within the range of Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 22,000, as per information sourced from Google Flights.

In light of the impending G20 Summit in Delhi, over a thousand flights are projected to face cancellations or rescheduling. The Central government's directive to airlines to reduce frequency by a quarter during the G20 Summit is primarily driven by parking constraints at Delhi's airport. As a consequence, airlines have been directed to reposition some of their aircraft to alternate airports in preparation for the Summit. Despite this, airline executives have voiced concerns about the potential for nationwide disruptions in flight schedules, emphasizing the centrality of Delhi's airport in India's aviation network. Reportedly, flight operations at Delhi airport will be curtailed from 12 pm to 12 am on September 8th, and from 6 pm on September 10th until 12 pm on the following day (September 9th), coinciding with the arrival and departure of numerous G20 delegates.

The forthcoming 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in Delhi serves as the culminating event in a series of gatherings, discussions, and dialogues that have transpired throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

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